nngu007

JF-Expert Member

nngu007

JF-Expert Member

Posted Sunday, June 9 2013 at 00:06IN SUMMARYIt has been a 20-year wait for G55, a group of leaders who distinguished themselves in the early 1990s as staunch proponents of a three-tier system of government. That dream has now moved closer to reality.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzanias gallant champions of a federal system of government must have broken into cheers at the launch last Monday of the first draft constitution.

It has been a 20-year wait for G55, a group of leaders who distinguished themselves in the early 1990s as staunch proponents of a three-tier system of government. That dream has now moved closer to reality.

In those early days, calling for independent candidates was a taboo and the champions were dismissed as rebels.

Today, they will feel vindicated. Their dream could finally come true should proposals by the Judge Joseph Warioba-led Constitution Review Commission lead to a Union Governmentone each for Tanzania Mainland (or Tanganyika) and Zanzibar and one joint one. The draft also provides for independent candidates. For many members of the G55, the campaign for re-introduction of an independent Tanzania Mainland came at a high price. They will feel vindicated should the public give the nod to a three-tier government in a referendum.

Scores of them did not live to witness this turn of events but surviving members of the group welcomed the Commissions announcement.

Those who spoke with The Citizen on Sunday soon after the release of the Katiba draft cautioned that the road ahead was still uncertain and would only become clear as the process unfolds. One influential CCM personality who took a hit over the G55 campaign is Mr John Malecela. He told The Citizen on Sunday: This (draft constitution) shows us one thing. Had we listened to what G55 were saying, maybe we would not be where we are now.

He said: Yaliyopita si ndwele tugange yajayo. This translates into Leave the past where it belongs and lets chart the future.

Some of the proposals are very challenging but we should see how to implement them to secure the future, he added. Mr Malecela, who is now retired after many years in top political positions, was dropped as prime minister in a 1993 reshuffle announced by President Ali Hassan Mwinyi.